Bimmer32

Popular Science Mag said that MB may (will) put their new 5.5 liter V8 382 hp that is on their 2007 S class on the E500 class? Will they still call it an E500 or will it be E550? This engine is not supercharged.

The more demanding question is, if BMW is going to keep up with this engine/power rat race, how long will the 550i badge last? 2006-2008? 2009 555i?

Please let me know what you think?

UUronL

I doubt that 382hp in the pig that is the E Class will even match the 550i's performance let alone best it. I'm sure the 550i will stay relatively unchanged as far as horsepower until the E60 replacement comes around.

MEX

probably just a couple of years, it really doesn't matter if the 550 is faster than a E550, marketing wise its the 382 hp that matter, MOST car owners just consider the Hp ratings as the ultimate "fastness" factor and buy the car with that in mind, so BMW will probably have to deliver a 385-400 hp engine soon (maybe just a re retuning of the 4.8 L).

tnx

Bimmer32

Are there any less 5.0 liter engine that can put out more than stock 400 HP? If the price of gas continues to increase at the current rate, only the very elite that buys these cars for leisure can afford them.

SergeyM

Are there any less 5.0 liter engine that can put out more than stock 400 HP?
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Yes, if build in Italy

UUronL

Are there any less 5.0 liter engine that can put out more than stock 400 HP?
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Yes, if build in Italy
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I'm not too sure what the point of such small V8 engines is, since there is so much torque to be gained from larger-displacement engines. I mean, I kinda get it for Italian cars, since these engines are usually wedged into an impossibly small engine compartment. The 5, 6, and 7 should have no such problems and could accomodate larger engines. As we've seen in other MB announcements, they plan to make "American sized" V8s, in the 5+ L displacement range.

Bimmer32

Are there any less 5.0 liter engine that can put out more than stock 400 HP?
[/quote]

Yes, if build in Italy
[/quote]

I'm not too sure what the point of such small V8 engines is, since there is so much torque to be gained from larger-displacement engines. I mean, I kinda get it for Italian cars, since these engines are usually wedged into an impossibly small engine compartment. The 5, 6, and 7 should have no such problems and could accomodate larger engines. As we've seen in other MB announcements, they plan to make "American sized" V8s, in the 5+ L displacement range.
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Those Italian cars look like matchboxes. 5+ liter V8? My mind is spinning. The 4.4/4.8 is already a tight squeeze in the e60.

Centurion

znod

Attachment 11340


[/quote]Isn't that pretty? Exactly, that one can do it. Turbo Porsches, for example, also can do 500 HP easily from 3.6 liters.

znod

I don't know how BMW does things. It appears that it does not add horsepower without a model change. If that's the case, I think the 555i will come out "on schedule." I think that the 550i will be a match for an E with 382 HP. I don't know what they'll call this car. As you know, I am planning for my 545i to be a match for the 550i and, thus, the new MB. I don't think that BMW would have any trouble getting a pretty civilized 400 HP out of the 4.8 liter, but, to get 400 HP, I imagine BMW would increase displacement above 5 liters.